Switch



2 Sheets-Sheet I A. P. ODELL. SWITGH.

(No Medal.)

Patented Mar. 6, 1894.

2 t B e h S u t e e h S 2 L L E D O R A m d o M O m SWITGH.

Patentd Mar. 6, 1894.

WI ESSES me NAnoNAL LATHOG-RAPNING' coMPANY,

WASHINGTON. n. c,

UNrrnD STATES ATENT rricn.

ALBERT P. ODELL, OF BRADFORD, PENNSYLVANIA.

SWITCH.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 516,105, dated March 6, 1894. Application filed April 5, 1893. Serial No. 469,096. (No model.)

To ctZZ whom, it may concern:

Be it known that I, ALBERT P. ODELL, of Bradford, in the county of McKean and State of Pennsylvania, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Switches; and I do hereby declare the following to be a full, clear, and exact description of the invention, such as will enable others skilled in the art to which it pertains to make and use it, reference being had to the accompanying drawings, which form part of this specification.

Myinvention relates to an improvement in switches, and it consists in the novel features of construction, and in the combination and arrangement of parts, all of which will be fully described hereinafter and especially referred to in the claims.

One object of my invention is to provide two separated mechanisms, operating independently of each other, for opening and closing a switch, whereby the same may be thrown at the main switch stand or at the auxiliary stand located some distance therefrom, while the other mechanism not being operated remains locked. With switches now in general use it becomes necessary for the trains to come to a stand still so as to enable the switchmen to leave the train and open the switch before the train can proceed. This stopping and starting with heavily loaded trains and especially upon steep grades is very damaging and wearing to the machinery as well as expensive in other respects. I propose to obviate this difficulty by providing a construction whereby the switch may be thrown at a distance therefrom, thus enabling the switchman to drop from the train while in motion and throw the switch before the same is reached by the forward end of the train, thus avoiding the objectionable stopping.

A further object of my invention is to provide an improved construction whereby the danger signal operated by the switch will be shown until the same has been fully and positively closed. Accidents frequently occur owing to the fact that obstructions of various kinds become deposited between the movable and fixed rails, thus preventing the entire closing of the former, while at the same time there has been sufficient movement of the.

switch mechanism to show the safety signal. It is not infrequent that the wheel flanges catch upon the rail ends thus projected causing the derailment of the trains.

Referring to the accompanying drawings, Figure 1, is a plan view of my improved switch mechanism applied to a track, the switch being open and the casing inclosing the operating mechanism being broken away. Fig. 2, is a vertical cross sectional view on line 22, of Fig. 1. Fig. 3,is a detail plan view of the main switch stand mechanism, shown partly in section. Figs. 4 and 5, are detail views of the mechanism for throwing the main switch stand .in gear. Fig. 6, is a perspective view of my improved frog. Fig. 7, illustrates a modification in the mechanism employed for transmitting the motion from one shaft to another. Fig. 8, is a detached view of the angle plate U ,and its supporting spring.

A designates the main track; B the siding, and A and B the respective movable switch rails of the same. The latter are secured to the longitudinal bars 0, extending transversely beneath the main track and which is loosely secured to its operating rod D.

E designates the boxing or casing inclosing the switch operating mechanism, and journaled therein in bearings G is the horizontal shaft G. Fixed upon this shaft between its ends is the disk F, carrying the eccentric or shoulder F, and to this disk is loosely secured the outer end of rod D. Loosely mounted on shaft G and adjacent to the disk F, is the sleeve H having formed upon its outer end the bevel gear H, which latter meshes with the correspondingly formed gear I on the end of sleeve I, mounted on shaft J, the axial line of which is at right angles to that of shaft G. The sleeve H and disk F are normally connected by the longitudinally movable locking pin it, which extends therethrough, as shown, and which is held normally in this position by the spring h.

K is the auxiliaryswitch stand located adjacent to the main track but some distance from the switch and journaled therein is shaft L on which is mounted the drum L, from the periphery of which projects the pin L. The shaft L is operated by the hand lever K M designates rods extending between the drums I and L, and extending around these drums and connecting the ends of the said rods are the chains M, gage the peripheries of the same by means of the projecting pins L and I, as will be readily understood. In operating the switch from this auxiliary stand the lever K, which may be locked by any suitable mechanism, is turned in the proper direction by the switchman, which sets in motion the endless connection between the drums L and I, thus partially rotating the bevel gears I and H, and also the sleeve H and disk F, owing to the fact that the latter are connected by the locking pin it. The rod D being eccentrically secured to the disk F is moved longitudinally, as Will be readily understood, thus adjusting the movable switch rail in the desired direction. The auxiliary switch stand may then be looked, which will in no wise interfere with the operation of the main switch stand, which I will now proceed to describe.

N designates the bevel gear loose on shaft G and upon the opposite side of disk F from sleeve H and which meshes with the bevel gear N, mounted on short shaft 0, provided with the operating lever O. Extending through the bevel gearN,aud normally in line with the locking pin h, is the longitudinally movable pin P,which serves to lock the gear Nand disk F together, when the switch is to be operated at the main switch stand. Now the switch is set normally to be operated from the auxiliary stand, the spring 72., being provided as before described for the purpose of holding the locking pin extended through the sleeve H and disk F, but when it is desired to operate the switch at the main stand, the pin P is moved longitudinally through the gear N and disk F, thus pushing outward the pin H, disengaging the engagement between the sleeve H and disk F, and substituting therefor a positive engagement between the gearN-and said disk. The movement of the pin P is effected by the upwardly movable wedge shaped block Q, which rests upon one end of the foot lever S, fulcrumed at S. The hypotenuse face of this block bears upon the corresponding face of depending block R resting upon and adapted to move longitudinallyon shaft G. The upperend of this block R is slotted to take the guiding rib R depending from the casing. By means of this construction the said blocks are prevented from separating laterally. By simply depressing the outer end of the foot lever the block Q is raised and moved laterally owing to its engagement with the block R, thus moving endwise the pin P which it engages and accomplishing the before described connection between the gear N and disk F. The operating connection between the auxiliary switch stand and the switch operating mechanism is thus broken while the main switch stand mechanism is thrown into gear, so that by a turn of the operating lever O, the shaft 0 and gear N will be partially rotated, thus turning the gear N and with it the disk F, thus accomplishing the desired adjustment which positively en of the switch. As soon as the switching has been completed the foot lever is released, thus permitting the wedge Q to drop and allowing the pin P to move outward when engaged by the automatic locking pin h. Thus it will be seen that the switch may be opened or closed either at the auxiliary or main switch stand independently of each other.

T designates the revoluble signal carrying rod extending vertically through barrel 25, supported by easing E, and projecting from the lower end of the rod and within the casing is the pin T. The lower end of the rod T depends through the projection E made integral with the casing E and which projection is formed with the/spiral groove E, in which moves the pin T. The lower end of rod T rests on the right angle iron U, the horizontal arm of which is engaged by the cam F carried by disk F, so that when the said disk is revolved in opening the switch the rod T is elevated and turned so as to expose its danger side, as will be readily understood by referring to Fig. 2. The inner side of the vertical arm of iron U is slotted longitudinally as at U.

V is a fiat spring secured within the casing E at one end, and which is adapted to enter said groove U when the iron U is raised, as shown in Fig. 2, thus holding the said iron positively in an elevated position with the danger signal exposed, as before stated.

WV is a longitudinally movable rod extending parallel with rod D and which atits outer end bears against the free end of spring V and at its inner end projects a short distance within the main rail, as shown at V. Now when the switch is opened by either of the hereinbefore described mechanisms, the iron U is raised and engaged positively by the said spring, thus holding signal carrying rod in an elevated position exposing its danger side, whether the eccentric F of disk F, remains beneath the iron or not, so that the signal is not changed by the mere closing movement of the switch operating mechanism. The iron U and rod T can only be lowered, thus exposing the safety signal by the disengagement of spring V with groove U, and this disengagement can only be effected when the movable rail A of the main track has closed completely, moving the rod WV outward longitudinally sufficiently far to push the said spring from its engagement with the iron and allow the same to drop. By this arrangement it will be seen that if any obstruction becomes located between the movable and main rails, the danger signal will remain exposed and the train can be stopped so as to remove the obstruction. It is thus impossible for a clear track to be shown unless the switch is positively closed.

Chains used in various connections on the under sides of cars and upon the running gear frequently become detached at one end and drag along the track, and wedge the switch rails from the main rails by being IIO drawn between the same. I propose to obviate this difiiculty in my improved switch, by providing the wedge shaped frog X having its upper side recessed as at X. A guide is thus formed for any hanging obstructions which elfectually lifts them from between the rails and avoids the danger which they entail to switches.

in Fig. 7 I show a modification of the mechanism forv partially rotating the respective shafts of the switch operating mechanism. The same consists of the forked arms Y which may be substituted for the bevel gears H and N, while in place of the bevel gears I and N, an arm Y may be substituted having a vertical outer end which works within the fork of the arm Y. By this arrangement the respective movements of the several parts may be effectually accomplished.

I do not wish to limit myself to the exact form of endless connection here shown between the drums I and L, as it is evident that an endless belt or endless chain could be substituted therefor.

Having thus described my invention,what I claim, and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is

1. An improved switch comprising movable rails,two operating mechanisms, 2. connection.

between the raiis and the mechanisms, and a means for alternately throwing the mechanisms in and out of engagement with said connection, substantially as shown and described.

2. An improved switch comprising movable rails, a movable disk, a connection between the disk and rails, and two independently operating mechanisms for operating the disk, substantially as shown and described.

3. An improved switch comprising movable rails, a movable disk, a connection between the disks and rails, actuating mechanisms on opposite sides of the disk, and means for looking the said mechanisms with the disk, substantially as shown and described.

4. An improved switch comprising movable rails, a movable disk, a connection between the disk and rails, independently actuating mechanisms adjacent to the disk, and a device carried by each mechanism for engaging the disk and also disengaging the corresponding device of the other mechanism therefrom, substantially as shown and described.

5. An improved switch comprising movable rails, a revoluble disk, an eccentric connection between the disk and rails, independently operating mechanisms on opposite sides of the disk, and locking pins normally in line and movable longitudinally through the mechanisms so as to alternately engage the disk and disengage each other therefrom, substantially as shown and described.

6. An improved switch comprising movable end rails, a movable disk, a connection between the disk and rails, independently operating mechanisms on opposite sides of the disk, locking pins for the mechanisms which engage separately the disk, and ameans for holding normally one of the pins in and the. other out of engagement, substantially as shown and described.

7. An improved switch comprising movable rails, a movable disk, a connection between the rails and disk, independently operating mechanisms on opposite sides of the disk, and longitudinally movable locking pins extending through the mechanisms which p ns are normally in line and which alternate in projecting entirely through the disk, substantially as shown and described.

8. An improved switch comprising movable end rails, a shaft journaled adjacent to the same, a disk movable with said shaft, an eccentric connection between the disk and rails, two gears loose on said shaft and adapted to engage alternately the disk, and anindependentl y operating mechanism for each gear, substantially as shown and described.

9. An improved switch comprising movable rails, a mechanism for throwing the same, two switch stands one adjacent and the other removed from the said mechanism, and connections between the mechanism and each switch stand whereby the former maybe actuated from either stand independently of the other, substantially as shown and described.

10. The combination of a switch throwing mechanism, a signal carrying rod adapted to be elevated, a means for holding the rod after having been elevated, and a mechanism for releasing the hold of said means when the switch has been entirely closed, substantially as shown and described.

11. An improved switch comprising movable rails, a switch throwing device connected thereto, independently operating mechanisms for actuating the device, and a means for engaging either mechanism with the device which simultaneously disengages the other mechanism therefrom, substantially as shown and described.

12. The combination of the movable rails of a switch, a mechanism for throwing them, a signal carrying rod adapted to be elevated by the mechanism, a device adapted to move vertically with the rod and support the same in its elevated position, and a connection between the movable rails and the said device for releasing the same when the switch has been entirely closed, substantially as shown and described.

13. The combination of the movable rails of a switch, a mechanism for operating the same, a signal carrying rod adapted to be elevated by the mechanism, a support adapted to move vertically with the rod,a spring for engaging the same in its elevated position, and a mechanism for releasing the hold of the spring when the switch has been closed, substantially as shown and described.

14. The combination of the movable rails of a switch, a mechanism for operating them, a signal carrying rod adapted to be elevated by the mechanism, a support movable with the rod, a spring adapted to engage and hold the support in its elevated position, and a rod engaging the free end of the spring and adapted to be moved longitudinally by the closing movement of said rails, thereby releasing the spring from the support and allowing the same together with the rod to descend, substantially as shown and described.

15. The combination of the movable rails of a switch, a mechanism for operating them, a signal carrying rod adapted to be elevated by the mechanism, an angular support interposed between the mechanism and rod, the vertical arm of the support being formed with a groove, a spring adapted to engage the same when elevated, and a mechanism for releasing the spring when the switch has been closed, substantially as shown and described.

16. The combination of the movable rails of a switch, a mechanism for operating them, a disk actuated by the mechanism, a shoulder on its periphery, and a signal rod adapted to be elevated by the said shoulder, substantially as shown and described.

17. The combination of the movable rails of a switch, amechanism for operating the same, a disk actuated by the mechanism, a shoulder on the periphery of the disk, a signal rod adapted to be elevated by the shoulder, an

angular plate interposed between the shoulder and rod for supporting the rod in an elevated position, and a means for automatically releasing the support when the switch has been closed, substantially as shown and described.

18. The combination of the movable rails of a switch, a revoluble disk, an eccentric connected between the rails and disk, a shoulder on the periphery of the disk, and signal carrying rod adapted to be elevated by the shoulder when the disk is turned, substantially as shown and described.

19. An improved switch comprising movable rails, a switch throwing device connected thereto, independently operating mechanisms on opposite sides of said device, and pins normally in line within the mechanisms which are adapted to move in opposite directions in engaging the said device, whereby either pin in engaging the said device disengages the other pin therefrom, substantially as shown and described.

In testimony whereof I affix my signature in presence of two witnesses.

ALBERT P. ODELL.

WVitnesses:

J. H. CUNNINGHAM, O. E. J UDD. 

